Quick Breakdown
- BNB Chain activity hit record levels with active addresses jumping 57% QoQ to 47.3M and transactions reaching 1.22B.
- Solana’s network upgrade boosted resilience, driving $120B+ monthly DEX volumes and TVL growth of over 30% to $30.5B.
- Avalanche staged a strong comeback, with TVL rising to $4.4B and DEX volume soaring 185% to $37.1B.
Altcoin ecosystems posted strong gains in the third quarter of 2025, with BNB Chain, Solana, and Avalanche all recording significant increases in usage, trading activity, and total value locked (TVL). The trend highlights how alternative blockchains are expanding alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum as market structures mature.
BNB, solana drive activity and value locked
BNB Chain recorded a 57% quarter-over-quarter rise in active addresses, hitting a record 47.3 million, according to CryptoRank’s Q3 report released October 3. The launch of the Aster perpetual DEX fueled a sharp uptick in derivatives trading, while transactions climbed to 1.22 billion. The surge helped push BNB’s price past the $1,000 milestone for the first time.
Solana also posted strong growth, with decentralized exchange volumes holding above $120 billion monthly and TVL climbing more than 30% to $30.5 billion. A major network upgrade boosted block capacity by 20%, giving the blockchain greater resilience amid heavy DeFi and memecoin activity.
Avalanche followed with one of its strongest quarters since 2022, supported by institutional partnerships and treasury programs. TVL rose to $4.4 billion, while decentralized exchange volumes increased 185% to $37.1 billion.
Bitcoin, ethereum, and stablecoins underpin market shift
Bitcoin traded between $108,000 and $118,000, buoyed by inflows into U.S. spot ETFs. Analysts noted a shift in ownership as retail selling was replaced by institutional accumulation, providing a more stable market base. Ethereum also advanced, supported by its central role in DeFi and stablecoin issuance. Declining balances on centralized exchanges reflected growing long-term demand, alongside interest in potential ETH-based ETFs.
Notably, in Washington, new legislation reshaped the regulatory landscape. The GENIUS Act established rules for payment stablecoins, while the CLARITY Act moved oversight boundaries between the SEC and CFTC. Combined with restrictions on a retail CBDC, the reforms boosted liquidity and positioned stablecoins as a cornerstone of both trading and decentralized finance.
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